Jer Bulsara, here 89, the mother of the late singer Freddie Mercury, photographed at her home in Nottingham in 2012. Mercury died in 1991, after being diagnosed with AIDs in 1987. His last public appearance was in the video for These Are the Days of Our Lives, which was released six months before his death. Famously private, Mercury kept his illness a secret from the public until he released a statement 24 hours before he died, which read: "Following the enormous conjecture in the press over the last two weeks, I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date to protect the privacy of those around me. However, the time has come now for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with me, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease. My privacy has always been very special to me and I am famous for my lack of interviews. Please understand this policy will continue."